"French energy giant Total's signing of a $5 billion contract on Monday to develop phase 11 of Iran's South Pars offshore gas fields has sparked fresh interest in business opportunities in the Islamic Republic. More European companies seem to be dropping their qualms about trade..."

'Big picture' of the Middle East. What are the current defining trends, who are the winners and losers, and how is this volatile and very dangerous region changing? And is American influence on the decline?"

On what one observer called "a sad day for warmongers," the United Nations declared Friday that Iran is fully adhering to the nuclear deal reached in 2015, and that inspectors will not go looking for infractions at the request of the Trump administration.

Trump and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, have regarded Iran and the agreement with suspicion, with Trump threatening to withhold certification of Iranian compliance, and saying in an interview in July, "If it was up to me, I would have had them noncompliant 180 days ago."

Haley traveled to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s headquarters last week to demand inspections of Iran's military sites—but presented no evidence of suspicious activity by the Iranians. IAEA officials reported that they would not be going on a "fishing expedition" to find Iran guilty of noncompliance. "We're not going to visit a military site...just to send a political signal," an IAEA official toldReuters, saying, "If [the Trump administration wants] to bring down the deal, they will. We just don't want to give them an excuse to."

The IAEA found that Iran has honored the commitments it made in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), brokered by the Obama administration. Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program's capabilities while the U.S. and five other world powers eased economic sanctions on the country....

What the hell is Trump's game???? Or Netanyahu's? Don't these freekin incompetent clowns know that China is now the economic power house that at any given time has the power to collapse the US economy?

Looks like the US is shooting itself in the foot. Taken from the above link:

The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned Donald Trump’s refusal to adhere to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, saying that the move poses a threat to international security and nuclear non-proliferation, and exposes the US as an unreliable partner.

The US as an unreliable partner. This comment resonates with multi billion dollar investors! Coupled with Trump's administration faulting on NAFTA, investment couldn't flow fast enough into Asia! China Russia and India gave the US all the rope Trump wants to hang himself with.

Iran’s strategic location on the Silk Road is a linchpin to Beijing’s initiative, particularly due to its access to the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf, which falls under the guise of its 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Chinese government is financing the construction of Pakistan’s part of the long-awaited Iran-Pakistan Pipeline, known as the “Peace Pipeline.” Iran recently became a founding member of the World Bank’s Chinese rival, the Asian Infrastructural Investment Bank (AIIB).

Iran also attempted to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in recent years, but was rejected due to sanctions. Now with the JCPOA officially being implemented, it is likely that Tehran can finally receive full membership in the SCO.

Any threat of war from Israel or the US against Iran is a stupid idiot yahoo joke! Threatining war against Iran is to only make yourself look like a stupid clown and invite trade to flow away from your country and never come back!

"Berlin, like Paris and London, has arranged contracts worth billions in Iran and sees Trump's course as a threat to its efforts to develop new energy resources and markets for Germany's export economy in Iran..."

"Accusing Iran of 'terrorism' and 'violating the spirit of the accord', Trump threw the issue into the hands of the Republican-dominated US Congress. He had to. All of Trump's senior national security officials and those from the treaty partners and UN reported Iran had kept its end of the deal.

Israel has just scored a major triumph by using Trump to sabotage the Iran nuclear pact. Israel is determined to destroy Iran so that it can never pose a military or political challenge to the Jewish state. Call it Iraq II..."

"Tensions are high in Iran as hundreds of people protest in multiple cities against the government's economic policies. Al Jazeera spoke to Mohammad Marandi, professor of Tehran University about the reasons behind the recent anti-government rallies..."

"Predictably, the same voices who have consistently demanded Iran's international isolation, along with the imposition of sanctions, military intervention and regime change, have rapidly sought to bandwagon the recent expressions of discontent and appropriate them for their own imperial agendas..."

"The US and Israel have reached a joint strategic workplan to counter Iranian activity in the Middle East. US and Israeli officials said the joint understandings were reached in a secret meeting between senior Israeli and US delegations at the White House on December 12th..."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran regards the meddlesome stance of the Canadian government as a violation of that country's legal and international commitments,' Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday. He added that the Canadian government's position was not in conformity with remarks by the counry's senior officials about the importance of improving interaction and dialogue with Iran. 'Unfortunately, the Canadian government's rhetoric is a rehash of the wrong, illogical and ineffective rhetoric of Canada's previous governments against the Iranian people and is inadmissible,' the Iranian spokesperson pointed out..."

"Then there is this: Carl Bildt@carlbildt - 9:38 PM-28 Dec 2017 from Rome...'Reports of signals of international satellite TV networks jammed in large cities of Iran. Would be sign of regime fear of today's protests spreading.' A search in various languages finds exactly zero such 'reports'. Carl Bildt is a former Swedish prime minister. He was recruited in 1973 as a CIA informant and has since grown into a full blown US asset. He was involved in the Ukraine coup and tried to personally profit from it..."

@carlbildt: 'Great to assess the state of the world with friend and Canada FM @cafreeland in Toronto today...'

"In 'Iran - Regime Change Agents Hijack Economic Protests we looked at the developing US-Israel operations to instigate a revolt in Iran. What follows are a few more background points and a view of the developments since...

"The Canadian government has expressed support for people protesting in Iran. In Toronto, dozens gathered to show solidarity with the people of Iran. 'People want freedom and justice,' Zahra Fallah, one of the Toronto protest organizers told CTV News Channel. 'They want the overthrow of the regime.'

National Iranian American Council research director Reza Marashi* told CTV News Channel, 'What you're seeing more than anything else is fully legitimate grievances because Iranian political, economic and social priorities have been long unmet..."

"*Reza Marashi joined NIAC in 2010 as the organization's first Research Director. He came to NIAC after serving in the Office of Iranian Affairs at the US Dept of State. Marashi is frequently consulted by Western governments on Iran related matters..."

This is making me really sad. I was hoping I'd get some news from the Khadir-Machouf clan or other progressive Iranians here. I'll try finding more news at progressive labour sites... certainly not from Iranian Press TV about this domestic story.

Iran Spring anyone ? Regime Change? Will we again be prohibited from any other interpretation than that this is an entirely spontaneous 'upsurge of democracy', as was the creed with some Canadian 'progressives' with Libya, Syria, Ukraine or whatever else The Guardian says?

"Obama, Clinton and Kerry imposed 'crippling sanctions' designed and calculated to inflict hardship on ordinary people, so not entirely 'an Iranian moment'.

"It's been a while since moderates in Iran have been sandwiched between Trump and Iranian hardliners' shared plots. Trump ultimately wants regime change. Hardliners want the next presidency and ultimately to [succeed] Ay. Khamenei. Thus they tacitly assist each other."

"The Canadian government has expressed support for people protesting in Iran. In Toronto, dozens gathered to show solidarity with the people of Iran. 'People want freedom and justice,' Zahra Fallah, one of the Toronto protest organizers told CTV News Channel. 'They want the overthrow of the regime.'

National Iranian American Council research director Reza Marashi* told CTV News Channel, 'What you're seeing more than anything else is fully legitimate grievances because Iranian political, economic and social priorities have been long unmet..."

"*Reza Marashi joined NIAC in 2010 as the organization's first Research Director. He came to NIAC after serving in the Office of Iranian Affairs at the US Dept of State. Marashi is frequently consulted by Western governments on Iran related matters..."

Sure, let Iran solve their own problems. Isn't that what Canada does with our own issues? Or does Canada take direction from Asian countries? Sounds like the Canadian government has an arrogant attitude as if it were more intelligent or righteous.

"Canada continues to oppose Iran's support for terrorist organizations, its threats toward Israel, its support for the Assad regime and its ballistic missile program. - Global Affairs Canada (Nov. 2017)

"Trump and Netanyahu know this isn't a revolution; their statements aim at sowing discord by tainting mostly unarmed protesters as being in cahoots with Iran's enemies. Plan is to make government paranoid and resort to heavy-handed measures which could then plunge country into civil war."

"Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry has hit back at the US president, saying that Trump should focus on his own country rather than tweet about civil unrest abroad..."

"While legitimate grievances & protest exist over internal issues in Iran, some of Twitter's 'Iran analysts' are truly getting overexcited. So let's open the issue up a little bit. Who's in the streets, how large exactly are the crowds and who's joining them..."

Here is Québec MNA Amir Khadir's statement in support of the movement of the Iranian people, but also against the false friends in power in the US, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere who are just trying to "fish in troubled waters"

So while everybody is instructing the long-suffering people of Iran in the scope and content of their rights and in the peacefully obedient manner in which they might be permitted to exercise them, it is useful to consider some other ancient and universal rights which the Iranian people are also fully entitled to exercise.

The right to tyrannicide. The right to vigorous, revolutionary violence. The right to sedition and sabotage. The right to insurrectionist mayhem. The right to wage armed struggle in the cause of overthrowing the filthy, corrupt and wicked Khomeinist regime in its entirety, once and for all.

And lagatta, if there is an English translation of the Amir Khadir statement I'd be much obliged. Though I'll try google translate as well.

Sorry, I haven't found one and unfortunately don't have time to translate anything other than the sample chapter of a book I'm working away on now. Google should be understandable. I assure all that the Khadir-Machouf clan (Amir and Nima's extended families) have absolutely no sympathies and nothing to do with either Israeli aggression or US imperialism. There are PROGRESSIVE Iranians in many diaspora countries who are concerned about their fellow Iranians back home and want better working conditions as well as more freedom and respect for women and for all people.

It is true that imperialism will always try to co-opt progressive movements in countries of the periphery, but it does not follow that those movements are all shams or creations of the imperial centre. Such a conspiratorial outlook denies the agency of Iranians and other peoples. Iran has become a very highly educated country (in that sense, the "Islamic republic" was actually progressive, especially in terms of rising educational rates for young women and for rural and working-class youth) and there is a thirst for better living conditions and more democracy.

In my case, I wasn't referring to Canadian liberals, but to Irano-Canadian (or more precisely, Irano-QuébécoisE) socialists. Whom I've encountered countless times at demonstrations, vigils, meetings and conferences protesting such manifestations of US imperialism and Israeli agression as the Gulf and Iraq wars, the Gaza and Lebanon assaults, as well as interference in American countries south of the US, from Central America to the Cono Sur.

I've never been to Iran, nor do I speak Farsi. Amir Khadir and Nima Machouf were both born in Iran, and not only them but their parents, aunts, uncles and cousins have been involved in decades in protests against both the Shah and the mullahs. They are not pro-imperialist, nor are they ignorant imperialist dupes, far from it.

Lagatta: Google translater came through and I agree it is quite a good statement, thanks. You said this, which I wanted to address too, seeing as it has been somewhat of a flashpoint in the past:

Quote:

It is true that imperialism will always try to co-opt progressive movements in countries of the periphery, but it does not follow that those movements are all shams or creations of the imperial centre. Such a conspiratorial outlook denies the agency of Iranians and other peoples.

I entirely agree that the view that progressive movements (and even nonprogressive movements that seek some sort of change in government) are all creations of the imperial centre is conspiratorial and false. They can arise naturally from unjust situations and succeed, be co-opted or subverted, or fail, and there is no general rule. Its so hard for us to know from the outside.

But even if someone were to take that conspiratorial position here, I would suggest to you that it does not in any material way "deny the agency" of the Iranian people. Their agency is denied by their government, and meddling outside imperial powers playing geopolitical games - compared to that, the opinion of a random babbler or blogger on the legitimacy or strength of their movement is small potatoes, and of no consequence to their situation, or their movement's success or failure.

Discussing with a person with this conspiratorial opinion is, to my mind, somewhat of an opportunity. If one thinks the current situation in Iran has no legitimate grievances behind it, has no popular support and is a CIA creation, they are likely to oppose US intervention and further sanctions, so that's a start at least. In some ways its easier to deal with, and a less delusional view, than a cruise missile liberal who believes US intervention will lead to a democratic, secular Iranian state, despite all the available evidence from the past.

The US treatment of the Iranian nuclear disarmament deal is just the kind of incentive the North Koreans need to sit down at the bargaining table to strike a deal with the US. After all they can see how well that has gone for Iran.

Perhaps MOBO2000. Iran is still a democracy in an hard line Islamic country, with a foot in the past and present. To me their circumstances sound very complex and sensitive. I believe it would be better to not get involved. Just continue trading and moving towards normalizing relations between Canada and Iran. Since Canada's relation with the US gives Canada a bit of a black eye, Canada is no position to preach to Iran and doing so would only work against normalizing our relations. As well, China/Russiais are more than happy to see Iran do well! Even to the point that I believe that they may be encouraging Iran to get into BRICS SCO.

Many people are protesting the Kinder Morgan pipeline in BC and they elected municipal, provincial and federal politicians who all say no to the oil oligarchy's plans. Should Iran, Russia and China help those freedom fighters overthrow the ruling oligarchy fronted by the corrupt PM Trudeau, himself a member of that oiligarchy?

"I think you're beginning to see the initial kernel of a revolution forming right now. If this thing is sustained over a period of time and the government tries to clamp down, but the numbers of protesters grow, I think at that point you've got a revolution on your hands,' Kaveh Sharooz, a Toronto lawyer, human rights activist and former senior policy analyst to Global Affairs Canada, told me over the weekend.

Sharooz served as a prosecutor in the 'Iran Tribunal', an ad hoc initiative that assembled jurists and international law specialists at the Hague five years ago to assemble a case against senior Khomeinist officials on charges of crimes against humanity...'You've got all the elements of a revolution now,' Sharooz said..."

"... The campaign is designed to create the atmosphere for a war on that country. The media give it ample room. But the US is very lonely in that attempt. The violence against public property by some young rioters has alienated the original legitimate protesters who have ample economic reasons to reject the neo-liberal politicians of the current Iranian government. The instigation of violence from the outside of Iran, likely due to CIA machinations, has robbed them of their voice..."

Why should vandalism by some young "hotheads" be used to discredit a broader movement, which has been largely based on improving people's living conditions, as well as issues of labour and democratic rights? I doubt very much that many people involved support US or Israeli interference. Why should Iranian workers, women, students and people generally have fewer social and democratic rights than people elsewhere? And of course, I agree that such rights should be upheld here, and that it is certainly not always the case, in particular with respect to Indigenous people.

"On Tuesday, US Ambassador Haley called for urgent meetings of the UNSC and the UN Human Rights Council to back the anti-government protesters. 'The UN must speak out,' Haley said at a news conference. 'The people of Iran are crying out..."

Starting with the Iranian file, Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the protests started due to economic problems but it was later politicized, taking advantage of some riots and foreign stances made by US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Zionist PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, he assured that the Iranian regime is in control of the situation and the economic issue is being studied especially, because the Islamic Republic has been under siege and sanctions since its victory. Sayyed Nasrallah stressed the wide public support for Iran's foreign policy, specifically regarding Al Quds which they consider as part of their national security.

Whatever happened will not effect Iran' s support for the resistance, the Iranian people have faith in the resistance and the hopes of Trump and Netanyahu will be frustrated,' Sayyed Nasrallah told Lebanese journalist Sami Klieb

"So we've got three longstanding Iran hawks carefully constructing a propaganda narrative for the Fox News crowd explaining why it will be a good thing if America does with Iran exactly what it did with Libya and Syria. In both these countries large protests were quickly infiltrated by foreign actors and extremist factions quickly arose to be covertly armed, funded and trained by the US and its allies..."

"Oil prices started this year on a high note as some geopolitical tensions pushed aside Bearish concerns. Both WT1 and Brent opened above $60 per barrel for the first time in years. The protests in Iran were the main driver of the bullish sentiment in the oil market..."

To me their circumstances sound very complex and sensitive. I believe it would be better to not get involved. Just continue trading and moving towards normalizing relations between Canada and Iran. Since Canada's relation with the US gives Canada a bit of a black eye, Canada is no position to preach to Iran and doing so would only work against normalizing our relations.

Lagatta: Iranians deserve labour rights, dignity and a good standard of living, the same as everyone else, yes. The issue in play to me is what will our govenment do, or what should it do, and will that help or make things worse. All the options being floated in the media now seem to be aimed at encouraging the protests, and violence within the protestors, perhaps with the aim of eventually having Iran declared a failed state requiring rescue by the US, or through the UN.